Organisers of a blood donor drive have issued a vote of thanks after seeing a surge of people signing up across the county.

NHS Blood and Transplant’s Missing Type promotion harnessed supporters, health professionals and employers to register more than 30,000 new donors across the country during the drive earlier this month.

The response during National Blood Week was three times higher than last year, and the number of new registrations has set a new record.

The figures show that a total of 698 people signed up in Herts compared to 210 in the same period last year.

The campaign saw the letters A, O and B – the letters that make up the blood groups – removed from public view to draw attention to the need for new blood donors.

Supporters included Downing Street and major High Street names including Waterstones, Odeon, O2, McDonalds and Nando’s.

The campaign aimed to draw attention to the fact that 40 per cent fewer new donors came forward last year compared to a decade ago.

While blood stocks are currently good, if not enough new people donate blood and these ‘types’ were to go missing in years to come, there wouldn’t be enough blood available when patients need it in future.

NHS Blood and Transplant’s Jon Latham said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to everybody in Hertfordshire who responded to our campaign by either helping to spread the word or by signing up to donate.

“We hope that the thousands of people who registered will now go on to book an appointment and become regular donors and that the organisations who backed the campaign will continue to help us promote blood donation.

“Current stock levels are good so we don’t need new donors to walk in to donate now.

“If there aren’t any immediate appointments in the area in the next few weeks, please book an appointment for the future.

“If you recently signed up we look forward to welcoming you for your first donation. We obviously hope you will go on to become regular donors and help us meet patient needs for years to come.

“Giving blood is easy, it doesn’t take long to do and you can help save or improve up to three lives each time you donate.”

You can register as a blood donor today through www.blood.co.uk.